The purpose of meditation is not to create a new state of mind, but to recognize what is already present.

The future is completely open, and we are writing it moment to moment.

Mindfulness is the gentle effort to be continuously present with experience.

The path is not about moving from one place to another. It's about recognizing where we already are.

Zen teaches nothing; it merely enables us to wake up and become aware. It does not teach, it points.

The moment you note a thought, it disappears. The noting mind keeps the hindrances away.

Our defilements are like tame tigers. If you feed them, they're tame. If you stop feeding them, they'll eat you up.

The essence of mind is empty like space; yet it contains all things, like a mirror.

In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few.

The practice of meditation requires both energy and patience, both effort and relaxation.

The way to overcome anger is to be too busy being kind to have time to be angry.

Our task is not to seek for love but to find all the barriers within ourselves that we have built against it.

There is no way to happiness - happiness is the way.

Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay.

Not by hatred is hatred conquered, but by love alone. This is an eternal law.

Wisdom is not about accumulating knowledge, but about seeing through all knowledge.

Mindfulness is attention to life, and life itself is sacred.

As long as our orientation is toward perfection or success, we will never learn about unconditional friendship with ourselves, nor will we find compassion.

When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog chasing a stick. Every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower.

The nature of life is change. The nature of change is painful. The nature of pain is temporary.

The victorious ones have said that emptiness is the relinquishing of all views. Those who are possessed of the view of emptiness are said to be incurable.

A pure mind is always full of love - real love for all others.

Every moment is a fresh beginning. Every breath is a new chance.

The source of love is deep in us and we can help others realize a lot of happiness. One word, one action, one thought can reduce another person's suffering and bring that person joy.

The purpose of life is to be happy, to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate. It is not to be well known, cited, or powerful.

The door of your heart can only be opened from the inside.

Knowledge must be stabilized by meditation. Without meditation, knowledge is like a child in battle.

Ethical conduct is not a constraint upon our freedom but a condition of our freedom.

Don't try to push away the darkness. Just light a lamp. The darkness will disappear by itself.

The most important thing in life is to know death is coming and to prepare for it.

Altruism is not a luxury, it is a necessity for the survival of humanity.

If you want to understand suffering, you must look into the situation at hand. The teachings say that wherever a problem arises it must be settled right there.

The quality of every moment depends on the state of our minds.